Game Preview: Nashville Predators @ Washington Capitals 12/29/21

Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe Nashville Predators are back tonight, taking on the Washington Capitals in the first of two meetings this year.

Former Preds head coach Peter Laviolette now helms the Caps, whose 43 points have them tied for the lead in the Metropolitan Division with the Carolina Hurricanes and trail only the Tampa Bay Lightning leaguewide. Points-percentage-wise things aren’t quite as starkly in the Caps’ favor, as a hefty chunk of OT losses have contributed to that record, but the Caps are still a good team that’s been playing well and getting results.

The players and coaches the Predators had had in COVID-19 protocol before the break are back and…